Recently, I asked James Altucher whether he had completed the StrengthsFinder® assessment*.
He said he hadn't and that people naturally know what they are good at.
I understand what he is saying, but there is more to the story.
When people learn about their strengths through a StrengthsFinder® report, they begin to embrace as strengths those things they may have considered weaknesses. The strength of 'Empathy®' is a classic one. As a person high in empathy, you may have been told that you wear your heart on your sleeve or that you need to control your emotions. The strengths-based approach allows you to claim empathy as one of your greatest strengths and to apply it to every situation.
'Deliberative®' is another good one. People high in ‘deliberative’ may have been told they are too slow to think or contribute. They now claim their ability to think things through carefully as one of their greatest strengths. And when others in their team learn it is one of their greatest strengths, they make sure they give them time to think and highly value any contribution they make.
People high in Analytical® may have previously questioned whether they were the only person in the room that could see these problems or issues—and try to contain their ‘black hat’ thinking. They now see this analytical strength as something they should bring to these situations. Others in their team appreciate this strength also and know they can ask this person to critically evaluate a proposal.
Many strengths can be viewed as both a weakness and a strength. The ability to make things happen by turning thoughts into action (Activator®) can be viewed as starting things but not finishing them….
What strengths do you have that could also be viewed as weaknesses?
*I am a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. The Clifton StrengthsFinder® is an on-line assessment of 34 strengths and provides a report of your personal strengths in order. The most commonly used report is the Top 5. You can complete your StrengthsFinder® assessment for $9.99.
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